Current:Home > InvestFacing water shortages, Arizona will curtail some new development around Phoenix-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Facing water shortages, Arizona will curtail some new development around Phoenix
View Date:2024-12-23 22:27:55
A new report from the state of Arizona predicts severe groundwater shortages in the Phoenix area. Water regulators say that will lead to the curtailment of some new development permits.
The new assessment shows there will be a major shortage of groundwater in the next century — a deficit on the order of 4.6 million acre feet of water over the next 100 years. One acre foot is generally thought of as the amount of water a typical household uses in a year. Regulators went on to indicate that means no new development approvals in the sprawling Phoenix metropolitan area — home to 4.6 million people — unless they can provide water from elsewhere.
The report's release is not necessarily a surprise and it won't affect most development in greater Phoenix that's already been approved under the state's strict water laws, according to experts at the Kyle Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University. The city itself is assuring residents that its supplies are stable and sustainable.
Nevertheless, the long term impacts of the new policy could be wide reaching. It essentially means the state will put the brakes on any new subdivision proposals in suburban and unincorporated areas.
As water deliveries from the drought stricken Colorado River have been cut recently, many Arizona cities and suburbs have turned to their groundwater supplies. There has been growing pressure in recent months on Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and other state leaders to cap growth in the metro area as a 23-year megadrought persists in the West.
"The Colorado River could run dry. If that isn't a wake up call to Arizona, I don't know what is," said Karin Nabity, a water activist, in an interview with NPR earlier this year.
Last month, Arizona along with California and Nevada brokered a conservation deal to keep 3 million acre-feet of water in the Colorado River for the next three years. Experts say it's a good start, but more intense conservation efforts across the region will be needed.
"We have a long long ways to go to get the river system with a sustainable use pattern consistent with this ever decreasing amount of run off in the basin," says Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.
veryGood! (94)
Related
- RHOBH's Erika Jayne Reveals Which Team She's on Amid Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley Feud
- Kamala Harris' vice president pick Tim Walz has a history of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé fandom
- What investors should do when there is more volatility in the market
- Why AP called Missouri’s 1st District primary for Wesley Bell over Rep. Cori Bush
- Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That’s what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Road Trip
- How do breakers train for the Olympics? Strength, mobility – and all about the core
- What Lauren Lolo Wood Learned from Chanel West Coast About Cohosting Ridiculousness
- My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers
- How to prepare for a leadership role to replace a retiring employee: Ask HR
Ranking
- Tesla Cybertruck modifications upgrade EV to a sci-fi police vehicle
- New York dad learns his 2 teenage daughters died after tracking phones to crash site
- USA basketball players juggle motherhood and chasing 8th gold medal at Paris Olympics
- Simone Biles wore walking boot after Olympics for 'precautionary' reasons: 'Resting up'
- Chiefs block last-second field goal to save unbeaten record, beat Broncos
- Lionel Richie Shares Insight Into Daughter Sofia Richie's Motherhood Journey
- 'Choose joy': Daughter of woman killed by Texas death row inmate finds peace
- Ancient 'hobbits' were even smaller than previously thought, scientists say
Recommendation
-
She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
-
'Star Wars' star Daisy Ridley reveals Graves' disease diagnosis
-
Johnny Wactor Shooting: Police Release Images of Suspects in General Hospital Star's Death
-
Last Chance Summer Sale: Save Up to 73% at Pottery Barn, 72% at Pottery Barn Teen, and 69% at West Elm
-
Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid Enjoy a Broadway Date Night and All that Jazz
-
NYC journalist who documented pro-Palestinian vandalism arrested on felony hate crime charges
-
Billy Bean, second openly gay ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner’s office, dies at 60
-
2024 Olympics: Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon Gets Silver Medal Reinstated After Controversial Ruling